Letter To The Editor-Dr. Michelle Johnstone

Posted:
02/26/2013 12:57:46 PM MST

Updated:
02/26/2013 12:58:35 PM MST

Dear Brush School District Community, Thank you for taking time to provide us with feedback via email and the drop boxes located at local businesses. Thank you businesses for supporting our effort to gather feedback. The suggestions that you offered included increasing technology, addressing school safety and specifically bullying, maintenance of restrooms, and increasing funding for drama, art, and music. There were several suggestions that were for specific schools and that information will be shared with building principals. Again, thank you for taking time to provide us with feedback! I would add, it’s not too late you are always welcome to call, email, or stop by. Our district goal is to move into the top ten percent of schools based on the academic growth of our students. This is growth for all of our students. I would like to share with you the success we are experiencing. Our Board of Education reviewed student achievement data, looked at current research, and set a high but achievable goal for our students. Our plan included adding a few “key” personnel. We hired Response to Intervention Coaches whose job is to progress monitor student achievement through Aimsweb and to provide support in grouping students based on academic needs. It is very exciting to hear about the success, we have increased the number of students we are serving and are able to systematically monitor student progress.

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We are making strong strides in increasing literacy at the elementary level. Our addition of the half time Dean of Students position at BHS, is achieving our desired goal of supporting an increase in attendance and a decrease in failing grades. We have started two center based special education programs at the elementary level. Both programs are running smoothly and we are seeing academic success as we are better able to meet student learning needs. We are also accepting students outside of our district to help support surrounding districts who lack center based opportunities. We are starting into budget discussions for the 2013-2014 school year. We are evaluating the new positions against student achievement gains as we said would happen when our Board of Education made the decision to add staff. I encourage you to attend our board meeting study sessions to give input, ask questions, or just listen our team work in action.

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